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Ryan Mundy to start vs Eagles and in opener vs Broncos

Ryan Mundy, like Mike Wallace, was a restricted free agent who did not receive an offer from another team.

That is where the similarity ends.

Mundy wasted no time signing a $1.26 million one-year contract tender from the Steelers when restricted free agency ended in April. It's actually not a bad payday for a backup safety who becomes a starter only when there's an injury and when the team plays in Denver.

That means he will have started two games in a row when the Steelers open the season Sept. 9 against the Broncos. He started for Ryan Clark in the playoff loss at Denver in January and he will start again for him at free safety in the opener.

Clark has sickle cell trait and his blood reacted in such an angry way in the high altitude in Denver in 2007 that he and the Steelers are not willing to take the risk of it happening again. So, he will sit and Mundy will play.

The Broncos stunned the Steelers in overtime in January, and likely will be favored when they meet this time.

That's what happens when you swap Tim Tebow out at quarterback for Peyton Manning, even if Tebow did have a career day against a banged-up Steelers defense.

Add in the no-huddle offense that Manning loves to run with the mile high altitude, and Mundy's job become all the more important. He'll be calling all the plays that Clark usually handles.

"Throughout his career he's had some strong tendencies like the hurry-up offense, no-huddle-type stuff," Mundy said of Manning. "We all know he's a very cerebral player. Once the preseason gets going, we'll have to turn on the game film to see exactly what we're getting ready for. I'm sure we can't wait for that. We know it's going to be a big challenge for us."

That game is a month away as the Steelers prepare to open the preseason Thursday night in Philadelphia against the Eagles. But it's on many of their minds, and surely Mike Tomlin will take some time in training camp to begin early preparations for the Broncos and Manning.

Mundy can't help but think about it because it's a rare start for him in what is a big year for him. This will be only his third regular-season start since the Steelers drafted the Woodland Hills High School graduate in the sixth round in 2008. He started two games for an injured Troy Polamalu in 2010 and that playoff game for Clark last season.

It's hard to crack a lineup that features two Pro Bowl safeties, even if you're No. 1 behind each of them.

"It's tough but probably the best thing that happened in my career, watching those two guys play, learning from them not only on the field but off the field," Mundy said. "They're two great guys, two great family men. Just to be able to learn from them and how to be a professional on and off the field, not many people in the NFL get an opportunity to do that."

Mundy wants a different kind of opportunity now. He wants to start, and not just in Denver. He will become a full-fledged free agent after this season and he hopes someone will give him a shot to start, even perhaps his hometown team.

He admitted getting "antsy" waiting for that chance.

"You have to have that edge as a player, a competitor," Mundy said. "You always want to be better, always seeking an opportunity especially in my position; I don't know when that opportunity will come."

He's 27 -- he was at Michigan four years and then finished up as a post-graduate at West Virginia in 2007, then spent half of his first pro season on the Steelers practice squad.

He plays on special teams while biding his time to fill in for Polamalu or Clark.

"If you look at his production last year during the regular season I thought he was very dependable," secondary coach Carnell Lake said. "He made some plays for us, some crucial plays."

It will be crucial if he does so in Denver next month as well, both for the Steelers and perhaps for Ryan Mundy's future.

do you think that is why he will be starting this thursday ? i thought someone might be hurt.

I haven't heard about Polamalu or Clark being hurt. The only people officially ruled out for Thursday because of injury at this point (other than the folks still on PUP, of course) are Willie Colon and Cameron Heyward.

The heading stated Mundy to start against the Eagles and the Broncos. I understand Clarks situation in Denver and I'm glad they are taking precautions. I just didn't know why Mundy is getting the start and over whom on Thursday ?

I'm sure they both will play, but since Mundy is starting the first game, it makes sense to get him out there with the starters some in preseason. They will add wrinkles here and there and Clark is already familiar. So it makes sense to test Mundy against the first O of the eagles.